Article
Parasitology
Andre B. B. Wilke, Dan Damian, Maria Litvinova, Thomas Byrne, Agnese Zardini, Piero Poletti, Stefano Merler, John-Paul Mutebi, John Townsend, Marco Ajelli
Summary: The objective of this study is to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of vector mosquito species in Maricopa County, AZ from 2011 to 2021 and identify hotspot areas for West Nile virus and St. Louis Encephalitis virus transmission in 2021. The results show that vector mosquito species are widely distributed and abundant in the urban areas of Maricopa County. The findings of this study can be used to inform vector control operations.
Article
Virology
Bethany L. McGregor, Joan L. Kenney, C. Roxanne Connelly
Summary: Temperature plays a crucial role in the infection, dissemination, and viral titers of arboviruses in mosquito vectors. Fluctuating diurnal temperature ranges did not significantly affect infection and transmission rates but had a significant impact on viral titers. Future studies should consider using realistic diurnal temperature ranges to accurately reflect interactions between the virus, vector, and environment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna Boser, Daniel Sousa, Ashley Larsen, Andrew MacDonald
Summary: Mosquito-borne diseases threaten over 80% of the global population, and utilizing high resolution land surface temperature measurements with established relationships can generate fine resolution maps of MBD risk components, providing more accurate information for disease prevention efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Flavia P. Franco, Pingxi Xu, Brandon J. Harris, Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy, Walter S. Leal
Summary: The southern house mosquito uses two odorant receptors, CquiOR10 and CquiOR2, to detect oviposition attractants skatole and indole. Through mutation experiments and structural modeling, it was found that a single amino acid substitution can alter the specificity of the receptors, leading to finely tuned volumetric space to accommodate specific oviposition attractants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pingxi Xu, Young-Moo Choo, Sunny An, Gabriel M. Leal, Walter S. Leal
Summary: The study identifies an odorant receptor (OR) in the southern house mosquito that responds to both odorants and inhibitory compounds. They also discover different currents in two other receptors in response to different odorants. Additionally, they find that gamma-octalactone shows strong repellency activity.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ana Maria Salazar-Bryam, Vinicius Luis Silva, Marina Rodrigues de Abreu, Renata Silva Matos, Mateus Aparecido Goncalves da Rocha, Raphael Culim Neves, Maria Izabel Camargo-Mathias, Claudio Jose Von Zuben, Roberta Barros Lovaglio, Jonas Contiero
Summary: Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant public health issue, with vector control being crucial for reducing their spread. However, insecticide resistance is a growing concern, prompting research into alternative solutions like using rhamnolipids and clove oil emulsion. Experiments have shown that these solutions have high toxicity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, with significant mortality at higher concentrations.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Vaishnovi Sekar, Ana Rivero, Romain Pigeault, Sylvain Gandon, Anna Drews, Dag Ahren, Olof Hellgren
Summary: This study investigates the transcriptomes of the Avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum in its vector Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, revealing gene expression patterns at different key timepoints and highlighting the presence of highly stage-specific pathways throughout the infection. Analysis identified genes related to host-immune invasion, unknown functions, and potential multifunctionality of some proteins, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms of the parasite's development and gene regulation diversity in its vector stages.
Article
Entomology
Zi Ye, Feng Liu, Nannan Liu
Summary: The Southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus uses its olfactory system to locate human hosts for blood meals, transmitting deadly diseases in the process. The organization of glomeruli in the antennal lobe governs the insect's odor identification and discrimination, with specific connections between receptors and glomeruli shaping behaviors. Studies on the 3D structure of the antennal lobe provide insights into mosquito odor coding and signal processing mechanisms.
Article
Ecology
Chien-Ming Shih, Lely Ophine, Li-Lian Chao
Summary: The genetic identity of Wolbachia endosymbiont in wild-caught Culex quinquefasciatus in Indonesia was determined for the first time, revealing a new discovery of group A Wolbachia. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains from Indonesia were genetically affiliated to supergroups A and B with high sequence similarity. Group-specific infections were detected, with group A having a lower genetic distance compared to other Wolbachia strains.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi, Mohammad Djaefar Moemenbellah-Fard, Mostafa Saffari, Elham Zarenezhad, Mahmoud Osanloo
Summary: This study investigated the larvicidal effects of essential oils from the Citrus family and their major ingredient, limonene, on mosquito vectors. The efficacy was then improved by preparing nanoliposomes containing these oils. The results showed that the nanoliposomes had a stronger larvicidal effect. Nanoliposomes containing Citrus aurantium essential oil exhibited the best activity against Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus.
BMC COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE AND THERAPIES
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Erin E. Schirtzinger, Dane C. Jasperson, Dustin A. Swanson, Dana Mitzel, Barbara S. Drolet, Juergen A. Richt, William C. Wilson
Summary: A cell line named CxTr was established from Culex tarsalis Coquillett embryonated eggs. The cell line is heterogeneous and can be infected and replicate by arboviruses from different viral families.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qicheng Ma, Satyam P. Srivastav, Stephanie Gamez, Garg Dayama, Fabiana Feitosa-Suntheim, Edward Patterson, Rebecca M. Johnson, Erik M. Matson, Alexander S. Gold, Douglas E. Brackney, John H. Connor, Tonya M. Colpitts, Grant L. Hughes, Jason L. Rasgon, Tony Nolan, Omar S. Akbari, Nelson C. Lau
Summary: Mosquitoes exhibit little impact of viral infection on their health due to the RNA interference pathways generating antiviral siRNAs and piRNAs. An integrated mosquito small RNA genomics resource was developed to analyze viral and transposon small RNA profiles across different mosquito species, revealing a novel piRNA cluster locus and regular periodicity in piRNA biogenesis patterns coinciding with the expansion of Piwi pathway genes. The resource enables detection of cross talk between piRNA and siRNA populations in mosquito cells during virus infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pingxi Xu, Young-Moo Choo, Walter S. Leal
Summary: The study reveals that the insect repellent methyl salicylate and eucalyptol have different effects on an odorant receptor in the southern house mosquito. Variations in the receptor protein determine the strength of inhibitory responses. The findings suggest that odorants and inhibitors may bind to the same pocket and that these responses are mediated by cations.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Gordian Rocky Mataba, Nicholas William Clark, Eliningaya J. Kweka, Linus Munishi, Luc Brendonck, Bram Vanschoenwinkel
Summary: The study investigated the effects of the biological larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) on Culex oviposition and nontarget species. The results showed that Bti effectively reduced larval density and survivorship of Culex mosquitoes without affecting nontarget insects. Additionally, Bti stimulated phytoplankton density but reduced herbivore density.
Article
Entomology
Pairpailin Jhaiaun, Amonrat Panthawong, Chutipong Sukkanon, Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap
Summary: Guava leaf oil showed strong repellent effects against different mosquito species, particularly exhibiting potent irritant and repellent effects against Culex quinquefasciatus. However, the repellency action was weaker against Anopheles epiroticus. The study suggests that guava oil has potential as a plant-based mosquito repellent for future mosquito control programs.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Lauren Fryzlewicz, Ashlynn VanWinkle, Chloe Lahondere
Summary: Both male and female mosquitoes consume sugar meals for energy, and targeting this behavior through attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSBs) can be an effective and environmentally friendly method to control mosquito populations. The study found that Aedes j. japonicus fed on various fruit solutions and experienced mortality when exposed to a toxic sugar solution containing boric acid, indicating the efficacy of boric acid as an oral toxin against this mosquito species. Further field experiments will be conducted to assess the efficacy of ATSBs and potential impacts on non-target species.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Jose E. Crespo, Marcela K. Castelo
Summary: Our study reveals that Mallophora ruficauda has compensatory mechanisms during development, with differential larval survival based on host availability. Furthermore, as the time between parasitism events increases, the second larva's chances of winning the competition decrease in favor of the first arriving larva. The differences in wing shape between groups could potentially affect flight and courtship behaviors.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Maria Soledad Leonardi, Jose E. Crespo, Florencia Soto, Claudio R. Lazzari
Summary: Sucking lice are permanent ectoparasites that have adapted to cope with the amphibious habits of their hosts and survive in the ocean. However, insects are rare in the ocean, and seal lice are one of the few insect species that can endure long immersion periods and deep dives. They have evolved adaptations to tolerate hypoxia, high salinity, low temperature, and hydrostatic pressures.
Article
Biology
Marcela K. Castelo, Jose E. Crespo
Summary: This research utilizes a behavioral approach to investigate the chemical cues involved in host detection by parasitoid larvae of the genus Mallophora. The study shows that two species of Mallophora rely on different cues located in different parts of the host. The research also demonstrates the role of microorganisms in producing these chemical cues and highlights the potential for competition between the parasitoid species.
Article
Entomology
Jose E. Crespo, Franco Divito, Juan Pueyrredon, Esteban Hasson, Eduardo M. Soto
Summary: The evolution of insects in arid environments is influenced by resource scarcity and temperature. Two species of cactophilic fruit flies showed different responses to breeding resources and temperature, suggesting diverging survival strategies shaped by selective pressures.
ENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Oluwaseun M. Ajayi, Justin M. Marlman, Lucas A. Gleitz, Evan S. Smith, Benjamin D. Piller, Justyna A. Krupa, Clement Vinauger, Joshua B. Benoit
Summary: This study characterized sleep in mosquitoes using body posture analysis and behavioral correlates, and found that quantifiable sleep states occur in mosquitoes. Sleep in mosquitoes is influenced by circadian rhythms and sleep deprivation affects sleep rebound and the response to hosts, influencing host landing and blood-feeding. These results highlight the potential epidemiological importance of mosquito sleep.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dimitri W. Wangrawa, Eric Ochomo, Forde Upshur, Nicolas Zanre, Dov Borovsky, Chloe Lahondere, Clement Vinauger, Athanase Badolo, Antoine Sanon
Summary: This study reports the insecticidal effects of essential oils (EOs) from different plants and their combinations against mosquito larvae and adults. The EOs exhibited larvicidal and adulticidal activities against mosquito species, and some combinations showed synergistic effects.
BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Joshua B. Benoit, Chloe Lahondere, Geoffrey M. Attardo, Veronika Michalkova, Kennan Oyen, Yanyu Xiao, Serap Aksoy
Summary: Consuming warm blood is critical for digestion efficiency and reproduction in tsetse flies. It increases digestion rate and milk protein production, leading to an increase in population growth compared to ingesting cool blood.
Article
Biology
Gabriella H. Wolff, Chloe Lahondere, Clement Vinauger, Elizabeth Rylance, Jeffrey A. Riffell
Summary: Mosquitoes can change their feeding behaviours based on past experiences, but the role of dopamine in their primary olfactory centre remains unclear. This study found that different mosquito species learn odours salient to their preferred host, and the innervation patterns in the antennal lobe (AL) by dopaminergic neurons varied among the species. Changes in dopamine expression in the insect AL may allow mosquitoes to adapt to new hosts without altering brain structure.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)